Former Indian cricketer Reema Malhotra praised Jemimah Rodrigues for markedly improving her batting following her participation in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Malhotra noted that the high-level exposure, intense competition and rigorous training in the franchise setup sharpened Rodrigues’ intent and clarity at the crease. She credited WPL’s structure with boosting the World Cup-winning batter’s confidence and adaptability in international cricket. The change was evident in Rodrigues’ recent stellar performances—combining technique and aggression effectively. Malhotra believes the WPL is “raising the bar” for India’s women cricketers and helping talents like Rodrigues flourish. 

Sunil Gavaskar said India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup victory is not the same as the men’s 1983 win, though both changed Indian cricket. He noted that the men’s team had never reached a knockout before 1983, while the women had already played two finals. Gavaskar praised Harmanpreet Kaur’s team for their “sporting intelligence” and credited Indian coaches for understanding players better. He said the win will motivate young girls across India to play cricket, just as 1983 inspired boys. “This victory will give new wings to women’s cricket,” Gavaskar wrote in his column. (PC: X)

Football legend David Beckham has been officially knighted by King Charles III for his services to football and British society. The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle in Berkshire on Tuesday. Beckham, the former England captain and Manchester United star, received the honour surrounded by family members. He called it “one of the proudest days” of his life. The knighthood recognises his achievements on the field and his charitable work off it. Beckham has long been a global ambassador for British sport and philanthropy, supporting children’s and health causes through his charity work. 

Rishabh Pant has returned to India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, the BCCI announced on Wednesday. Pant, who was injured during the England tour, recently made a successful comeback in the India A vs South Africa A series, where he led the team to victory. He will serve as vice-captain under skipper Shubman Gill, with Dhruv Jurel as the second wicketkeeper. Axar Patel also returns to the squad, while Prasidh Krishna misses out. India’s squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj. The two-Test series will mark Pant’s first major comeback after his long injury break. (PC: India Today)

Coach Amol Muzumdar was greeted by an exuberant crowd in his Ville Parle, Mumbai neighbourhood after India women's cricket team clinched their maiden ODI World Cup title by defeating South Africa women's cricket team by 52 runs in the final. Neighbours formed a guard of honour, with applause and cheers underscoring the magnitude of the moment. Muzumdar, formerly one of India’s most prolific domestic batsmen who never played for the national men’s side, called the win a “watershed moment” for Indian women’s cricket.

The Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, received a grand welcome in Delhi on Tuesday after winning the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup. The team defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final in Navi Mumbai, claiming their first-ever World Cup title. Players Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, and Sneh Rana danced to dhol beats as fans and staff celebrated their arrival. Security was tightened in the capital ahead of their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The victory marks a historic milestone for Indian women’s cricket and a proud moment for the nation. (PC: @DelhiAirport/X)

The ICC has punished players from India and Pakistan over incidents during the Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been fined 30% of his match fee and suspended for two ODIs for making provocative gestures during matches against India. He also received four demerit points within 24 months. India captain Suryakumar Yadav was fined 30% of his match fee for his “Pahalgam tribute” comment, which the ICC said brought the game into disrepute. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan received a warning for his “gunshot” celebration. The punishments followed hearings by ICC match referee Richie Richardson. (PC: AFP)

Football legend David Beckham was formally knighted as Knight Bachelor by King Charles III during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The honor recognizes his services to football and British society. Beckham attended the prestigious ceremony accompanied by his wife, now Lady Victoria Beckham. The former England captain received the accolade from the monarch in a traditional Windsor Castle ceremony, marking one of Britain's highest civilian honors. Photographs captured the historic moment as King Charles bestowed the knighthood upon the football icon, with Lady Victoria present to witness her husband's achievement. Sir David Beckham joins an elite group of sports personalities honored with knighthood for exceptional contributions.

Former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy called for Harmanpreet Kaur to relinquish captaincy to Smriti Mandhana, stating the change is "overdue" despite India's recent ODI World Cup victory. Rangaswamy believes Harmanpreet, brilliant as batter and fielder, fumbles tactically and would contribute more without captaincy burden, with three-four playing years remaining. She advocates Smriti leading across formats for future World Cup planning, citing Rohit Sharma's post-Champions Trophy transition as precedent. Rangaswamy praised India's settled batting but highlighted bowling and fielding vulnerabilities. She noted Australia lost semifinals despite posting 338 because their bowling attack was weaker than Pakistan and Bangladesh, with India's batters ultimately delivering the championship. (PC: BCCI Women)

The ICC announced disciplinary verdicts from heated India-Pakistan Asia Cup matches, suspending Pakistan's Haris Rauf for two games while fining India's Suryakumar Yadav thirty percent match fees plus two demerit points. Both violated Article 2.21 for conduct bringing the game into disrepute. Rauf faced sanctions for his "6-0" hand signal and airplane descent gesture toward Indian fans. Suryakumar was penalized for refusing post-match handshakes. Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan received an official warning for his gun celebration after scoring fifty. Jasprit Bumrah accepted one demerit point for his fighter-jet gesture responding to Rauf. Arshdeep Singh was cleared of obscene gesture charges following the Super 4 clash. (PC: RCB & India Today)